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Therefore if ye have risen together with Christ, seek ye those things that be above, where Christ is sitting on the right half of God.

Savour ye those things, that be above [Savour, or understand, ye those things that be above], not those that be on the earth.

For ye be dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

For when Christ shall appear, your life, then also ye shall appear with him in glory.

Therefore slay ye your members [Therefore slay your members], which be on the earth, fornication, uncleanness, lechery, evil covetousness, and avarice, which is service of maumets [which is service of simulacra];

for which things the wrath of God came on the sons of unbelief;

in which also ye walked some time, when ye lived in them.

But now put ye away all things, wrath, indignation, malice, blasphemy and foul words of your mouth. [But now and ye put away all things, wrath, indignation, malice, blasphemy, foul word of your mouth.]

Do not ye lie together; despoil ye you from the old man with his deeds, [Do not ye lie, or gab, together, spoiling the old man with his deeds,]

10 and clothe ye the new man [and clothing the new man], that is made new again into the knowing of God, after the image of him that made him;

11 where is not male and female, heathen man and Jew, circumcision and prepuce, barbarous and Scythian, bondman and free, but all things and in all things Christ.

12 Therefore ye, as the chosen of God, holy and loved, clothe you with the entrails of mercy, benignity, and meekness, temperance, patience; [Therefore clothe ye you, as the chosen of God, holy, and loved, with the entrails of mercy, benignity, and meekness, temperance, patience;]

13 and support ye each one (the) other, and forgive to yourselves, if any man against any hath a quarrel; as the Lord forgave to you, so also ye. [supporting, or bearing up together, and forgiving to yourselves, if any man against any hath quarrel, or plaint, as and the Lord Christ forgave to you, so and ye.]

14 And upon all these things have ye charity, that is the bond of perfectness [that is the bond of perfection].

15 And the peace of Christ enjoy in your hearts, in which ye be called in one body, and be ye kind.

16 The word of Christ dwell in you plenteously, in all wisdom; and teach and admonish yourselves in psalms [teaching and admonishing yourselves in psalms], and hymns, and spiritual songs, in grace singing in your hearts to the Lord.

17 All thing, whatever thing ye do, in word or in deed, all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, doing thankings to God and to the Father by him. [All thing, whatever ye do, in word or deed, all things in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, doing thankings to God the Father by him.]

18 Women, be ye subject to your husbands, as it behooveth in the Lord.

19 Men, love ye your wives, and do not ye be bitter to them.

20 Sons, obey ye to your father and mother by all things; for this is well pleasing in the Lord.[a]

21 Fathers, do not ye provoke your sons to indignation, that they be not made feeble-hearted.

22 Servants, obey ye by all things to fleshly lords, not serving at the eye [not serving at eye], as pleasing to men, but in simpleness of heart, dreading the Lord [dreading the Lord God].

23 Whatever ye do, work ye of will, as to the Lord and not to men;

24 witting that of the Lord ye shall take yielding of heritage [witting that of the Lord ye shall take reward of heritage]. Serve ye to the Lord Christ.

25 For he that doeth injury, shall receive that that he did evil; and acception of persons is not with God.[b]

Lords, give ye to servants that that is just and even, witting that also ye have a Lord in heaven.

Be ye busy in prayer, and wake in it, in doing of thankings;

and pray each for other, and for us [praying together and for us], that God open to us the door of word, to speak the mystery of Christ; for which also I am bound,

that I show it, so as it behooveth me to speak.

Walk ye in wisdom to them that be withoutforth, again-buying time.

Your word be savoured with salt evermore in grace; that ye know, how it behooveth you to answer to each man.

Tychicus, most dear brother, and faithful minister, and my fellow in the Lord [and even-servant in the Lord], shall make all things known to you, that be about me.

Whom I sent to you to this same thing [Whom I sent to you to the same thing], that he know what things be about you, and comfort your hearts,

with Onesimus, most dear and faithful brother, which is of you; which shall make all things that be done here [that shall make all things that be done here], known to you.

10 Aristarchus, prisoner with me [mine even-captive, or prisoner with me], greeteth you well, and Marcus, the cousin of Barnabas, of whom ye have taken commandments; if he come to you, receive ye him;

11 and Jesus, that is said Justus; which be of circumcision; they alone be mine helpers in the kingdom of God, that were to me in solace.

12 Epaphras, that is of you, the servant of Jesus Christ, greeteth you well; ever busy for you in prayers, that ye stand perfect and full in all the will of God.

13 And I bear witnessing to him, that he hath much travail for you, and for them that be at Laodicea, and that be at Hierapolis.

14 Luke, the physician most dear [the leech most dear], and Demas, greet you well.

15 Greet ye well the brethren that be at Laodicea, and the woman Nymphas, and the church that is in her house [and Nymphas, and the church that is in his house].

16 And when this epistle is read among you, do ye, that it be read in the church of Laodiceans; and read ye that epistle that is of Laodiceans.

17 And say ye to Archippus, See the ministry, that thou hast taken in the Lord, that thou fill it [that thou fulfill it].

18 My salutation, by the hand of Paul. Be ye mindful of my bonds. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

Footnotes

  1. Colossians 3:20 Sons, obey to your father and mother in all things; forsooth this is well pleasing to the Lord.
  2. Colossians 3:25 Forsooth he that doeth injury, or wrong, shall receive that that he did evil; and acceptation of persons/and taking of persons is not with God.

Living as Those Made Alive in Christ

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ,(A) set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.(B) Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.(C) For you died,(D) and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your[a] life,(E) appears,(F) then you also will appear with him in glory.(G)

Put to death,(H) therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:(I) sexual immorality,(J) impurity, lust, evil desires and greed,(K) which is idolatry.(L) Because of these, the wrath of God(M) is coming.[b] You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.(N) But now you must also rid yourselves(O) of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander,(P) and filthy language from your lips.(Q) Do not lie to each other,(R) since you have taken off your old self(S) with its practices 10 and have put on the new self,(T) which is being renewed(U) in knowledge in the image of its Creator.(V) 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew,(W) circumcised or uncircumcised,(X) barbarian, Scythian, slave or free,(Y) but Christ is all,(Z) and is in all.

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves(AA) with compassion, kindness, humility,(AB) gentleness and patience.(AC) 13 Bear with each other(AD) and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.(AE) 14 And over all these virtues put on love,(AF) which binds them all together in perfect unity.(AG)

15 Let the peace of Christ(AH) rule in your hearts, since as members of one body(AI) you were called to peace.(AJ) And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ(AK) dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom(AL) through psalms,(AM) hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.(AN) 17 And whatever you do,(AO) whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks(AP) to God the Father through him.

Instructions for Christian Households(AQ)

18 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands,(AR) as is fitting in the Lord.

19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

21 Fathers,[c] do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance(AS) from the Lord as a reward.(AT) It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.(AU)

Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair,(AV) because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

Further Instructions

Devote yourselves to prayer,(AW) being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door(AX) for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery(AY) of Christ, for which I am in chains.(AZ) Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise(BA) in the way you act toward outsiders;(BB) make the most of every opportunity.(BC) Let your conversation be always full of grace,(BD) seasoned with salt,(BE) so that you may know how to answer everyone.(BF)

Final Greetings

Tychicus(BG) will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant[d](BH) in the Lord. I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our[e] circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.(BI) He is coming with Onesimus,(BJ) our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you.(BK) They will tell you everything that is happening here.

10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus(BL) sends you his greetings, as does Mark,(BM) the cousin of Barnabas.(BN) (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) 11 Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews[f] among my co-workers(BO) for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras,(BP) who is one of you(BQ) and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you,(BR) that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature(BS) and fully assured. 13 I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea(BT) and Hierapolis. 14 Our dear friend Luke,(BU) the doctor, and Demas(BV) send greetings. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea,(BW) and to Nympha and the church in her house.(BX)

16 After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read(BY) in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.

17 Tell Archippus:(BZ) “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”(CA)

18 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.(CB) Remember(CC) my chains.(CD) Grace be with you.(CE)

Footnotes

  1. Colossians 3:4 Some manuscripts our
  2. Colossians 3:6 Some early manuscripts coming on those who are disobedient
  3. Colossians 3:21 Or Parents
  4. Colossians 4:7 Or slave; also in verse 12
  5. Colossians 4:8 Some manuscripts that he may know about your
  6. Colossians 4:11 Greek only ones of the circumcision group